The Best Girl [Paperback]

Eighteen-year-old Farrah "Jane" Morris never saw eye to eye with her mother. In fact, the only solace she had at home was her older brother, and her love of sports - something her mother could never understand. After all, her mother always wanted a girly girl for a daughter - someone she could dress up, and experiment on with various make-up and hairstyles - two things Farrah would never allow. But when Farrah heads off to college, she decides to reinvent herself as Jane, a fun girl with opinions on just about everything who can make friends in a snap. But the one guy she wants to be buddy-buddy with - in a romantic way, that is - seems aloof. Connor is the epitome of a hottie whom she wants to snuggle up with. But when the holidays roll around, and Jane leaves campus to be the "best man" in her brother's wedding, she knows that snuggling with Connor is the last thing she'll be doing. Until she realizes that he works at the same exact lodge where the wedding is taking place.

Jane has watched Connor from afar in class since day one. His soulful eyes, crooked smile, and braininess make her completely weak in the knees. Unfortunately, ever since a bad experience during her junior year of high school, when Jane was told that she was nothing more than the "best friend type," Jane has had an extreme fear of rejection, and is convinced that no guy - especially one as gorgeous as Connor - will ever view her as being any more than a pal. Until her new friend Biff tells her otherwise. Biff is the younger sister of Marni Shay, the fashionista/debutante who happens to be marrying Jane's older brother. Biff is edgy and cool, and loves to break the rules. She also turns out to be Jane's rock, assisting her in every department of her life - namely the love department. When Connor begins to make goo-goo eyes at Jane, she's convinced that she's imagining things. After all, there are plenty of cute snow bunnies all over the lodge who seem more like Connor's type. But Connor has eyes only for Jane. Unfortunately, with Biff's assistance, Jane has ended up in the lie of a lifetime. One that could destroy her chances with Connor, unless she comes clean and announces to him that she's the "best man"; or, rather, in this case, the best girl.

I don't think that anyone could dislike Farrah "Jane" Morris, even if they tried. From page one Jane jumps out of the book, and becomes a pal whom you can't resist learning more about. Her low-maintenance ways, and sporty persona make her a prime example of the fact that you don't need to get all dolled up to snag a hottie. But it's her sarcastic humor, and friendship with Biff that make her even more irresistible. Connor, on the other hand, is a guy every girl will long to call her own. His amazing looks, and even greater personality make him appealing; though his nastiness and judgement about people with money makes you dislike him at times, but his treatment of Jane and his romantic side certainly work overtime to redeem him. THE BEST GIRL will warm you up, even on the chilliest day!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

How would you like the given name Farrah? Exactly! That's why Farrah decides to go by her middle name, Jane, when she starts at Colorado University. Colorado was as far as she could get from her family. By using Jane, no one could possibly figure out that she is part of the THAT Morris family.

Everything is going along perfectly for Jane. She even had a real conversation with Hot Connor the last day of the semester. Though that only happened because they collided into each other after finals. But now, she's off to River Lodge to attend her brother's wedding. Of all the places he had to choose to get married, it had to be in her safety state of Colorado. Well, Jane plans to make the best of it, not really understanding why her brother, Jonah, would choose to marry Marni Shay, besides her being rich and famous. At least Marni has a cool younger sister, Biff (her real name is Buffy, but don't you dare call her that!), that Jane immediately bonds with.

What can possibly go wrong? Of course, the reader knows that something has to happen. And that turns out to be that Hot Connor WORKS at River Lodge. He actually seems pleased to see Jane. But that's probably because Biff told him that the two girls are nannies for some rich family. Not quite true, of course. Jane's family's wealth represents all that Connor resents.

So now, Jane has to pretend she is the nanny to her two younger brothers whenever Connor might be around. As can be expected, things don't always turn out the way that she wants. Jane has to juggle wedding preparations, avoiding Connor at the wrong moments, and being extra-attentive to her younger brothers as a front for her deception.

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Harrison, but it definitely won't be my last. Jane was a lot of fun and the misfortunes she finds herself in are very comical, but point out the problems when you don't tell the truth from the beginning. One small lie builds into a waterfall of lies that soon create a disaster for Jane. Only by coming clean does she have any hope of a happy ending.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

"The best girl" by Emma Harrison is a cute, easy to read and lovely story about being the person you want to be.

Farrah Jane Morris loves her first semester at college and that for the first time she can be just how she wants to be. At college she is cool and relaxed Jane who wishes that her crush "Hot Connor" would ask her out.
However when Farrah is back with her family she has trouble to stay true to herself and say no to her mother's attempts to make her more girlie. In her first semester break Farrah stays at an expensive lodge where her brother marries rich and famous Marni. When it turns out that her crush Connor is working at the lodge where the wedding will take place things get exciting and complicated. Connor thinks that the guests at the lodge are total snobs so Farrah and her new friend Biff (really Buffy, she's Marnis sister) claim to be nannys for Farrah's little brothers. Soon Connor and Farrah start to date and everything could be perfect. But she knows that when he will uncover her lies their relationship could be over.

When I saw the cover of "The best girl" I hoped for a funny, entertaining and lovely story and that's exactly what I got.
Farrah is a great and very believable character. She's happy to be at college and to have the chance to be herself. She's a shy and very likable girl and I loved her interactions with her brother, her mom and Biff. Her lies to Connor were white lies and she's definitely not a mean person.
Connor is a great, cool guy who shares a lot of interests with Farrah. He was very sweet to her and really cared about her feelings and dreams.
It was understandable that he was hurt and angry when he found out who Farrah really is. His reaction was not over the top and I liked how in the end they got back together.

All in all I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely read more books by Emma Harrison in the future. If you want to relax and have some fun this cute and lovely book is a good choice.

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